John Joyce and the others could guess with even the slightest thought that the bug Bob had just swallowed was likely some remote-controlled explosive device—a failsafe that would trigger if Bob refused to cooperate.

The players' insidious methods were increasingly outlandish and vicious; they dared not even imagine the specific effects if that bug detonated.

Li Ang rose, dusting off his clothes. After greeting Miss Chai, he strode past his scowling teammates and approached the entrance of the deserted church.

The church was spacious and imposing. Pale stone floors were lined with four rows of long benches. The great hall's ceiling featured a pointed ribbed vault, flanked by slender, graceful columns. High stained-glass windows were embedded in the hall's walls. The patterns on these windows were exquisitely detailed.

The first few panes depicted, scene by scene, Her Majesty's journey from being a princess of a small island to becoming the queen ruling several great kingdoms. These images ranged from warm, harmonious family scenes to ferocious battlefield engagements—all were present.

The subsequent panes illustrated the Snow Queen enacting benevolent policies: 'investigating the terrible living conditions of the Goblin Clan,' 'pacifying the Ogre clan—nearly extinct from demon-hunter killings,' and 'demanding the Rune Kingdom City Hall establish a Women and Children's Rights Protection Committee for the Jackalman Village.'

Perhaps out of deference to Her Majesty, her features in the stained-glass images were indistinct. However, her facial outline suggested she was a beauty—assuming the artist hadn't deliberately embellished it.

Li Ang stood at the threshold of the church, not proceeding further inside. He turned his head, an enigmatic smile playing on his lips, and asked his teammates, "Who wants to go in for a look first?"

At this moment, his teammates had already helped Bob to his feet. Hearing Li Ang's question, their expressions turned as if they were constipated.

According to the players' earlier speculations, the Snow Queen's church might possess a Mind Control Effect, capable of subtly transforming the thoughts of anyone who entered.

The players exchanged glances. In the end, Bob—the one who had just swallowed the bug—stepped forward.

First, he took some Pale Medicinal Powder from his backpack slot and applied it to his chest. Then, he softly murmured an unknown chant, healing his broken ribs. Only then did he slowly say, "I'll go in first."

Now under duress, he had no choice but to comply, regardless of his reluctance.

Bob walked towards the church. Passing by Li Ang, he hesitated upon noticing the hunting shotgun in Li Ang's hand. He probably wouldn't be getting that weapon back. He then crossed the threshold and stepped inside.

Nothing happened.

Li Ang, standing outside the church, asked, "How do you feel?"

"Nothing special." Bob shook his head. "My mind is clear, but my stomach feels bloated."

Li Ang nodded. "Say something discriminatory."

Bob blinked. "Uh? What do you mean?"

Li Ang said impatiently, "Just say it."

"Oh." Bob licked his lips and whispered, "Negro?"

"A Negro saying 'Negro' doesn't count as discrimination," Li Ang stated. "Try another word."

Bob thought for a moment and whispered, "White trash?"

This term specifically described impoverished white people and was discriminatory. So that's why, Bob now understood. Li Ang wanted him to say such things to test if the church had a Mind Control Effect.

Li Ang nodded. "Normal. Walk a few more steps inside."

Bob took a few more steps into the church's depths, muttering a stream of English insults: "Rednecks," "Gingerbread Man," "sons of the beach," and even nastier terms.

Of course, he hadn't dared to use any slurs against Asians; the thought hadn't even crossed his mind.

Bob continued cursing fluently as he walked, until he saw a towering statue of the Snow Queen on a raised platform deep within the church.

The statue matched the image of the Queen depicted in the stained glass: a tall woman in a splendid, deep-blue gown, a crown on her head. Her face was blurred but exuded an air of majesty and sanctity.

Her head was bowed, and in her hands, she held a palm-sized Mirror Fragment.

The moment Bob saw the Mirror Fragment, the curses died on his lips. He felt a profound, heartfelt repentance.

How could I have insulted my dear compatriots as 'white trash'? How could I have cursed those adorable animal rights activists who prevent people from buying Christmas turkeys, calling them lunatics?

Bob cried out involuntarily, dropping to his knees. Looking at the Queen statue, he confessed, "I am guilty, so very guilty!

From now on, I won't run away when my girlfriend is pregnant!

I won't commit domestic violence!

I won't indulge in alcohol!

I won't insult others!

I will be humble, honest, merciful, brave, and just! I will be kind to the weak and fearless against the powerful! I will be willing to make sacrifices, uphold the honor of a Knight, and I will strike hard against the ugliness of this world!"

The sight of Bob on his knees, overcome with emotion, genuinely stunned the players watching from outside the church.

Li Ang and the others watched from afar for some time, observing Bob muttering prayers and kowtowing, before finally deciding to enter the church together.

They called out to Bob for a while, but he was completely immersed in his own world, unable to break free.

"Is he going to be okay?" John Joyce asked from a distance, somewhat worried. "That Mirror Fragment seems to have strange powers. If you get too close, you might be controlled."

"Yes," Julia exhaled deeply, gazing at the Mirror Fragment and whispering, "According to the original Snow Queen fairy tale, the Magic Mirror has the power to turn everything in the world upside down. It can turn robbers into Heroes, Demon Women into beauties, beggars into Kings, and good people into criminals. That Mirror Fragment is likely the Magic Mirror from the fairy tale."

Li Ang glanced at Bob, who was still kowtowing and confessing. He stroked his chin and muttered to himself, "Does that mean it's the item required for the quest? The quest requires us to take the complete Magic Mirror out of the palace, but the mirror is already broken. So, does this scenario require us to first collect the Mirror Fragments, assemble them inside the palace to complete the mirror, and then leave? If that's the case, then it implies that only within the Queen's palace are the conditions for piecing the mirror together..."

John Joyce, not daring to interrupt Li Ang's contemplation, hesitated for a moment before plucking up the courage. He pointed at Bob on the ground and asked, "Uh, aren't we going to do anything about him? If we leave him like this, it looks like he'll be completely brainwashed..."

"That's easy to handle."

Li Ang casually picked up a church bench, swung it forcefully at Bob, sending him flying. With a loud CRASH, Bob slammed against a church pillar.

If you find any errors ( broken links, non-standard content, etc.. ), Please let us know < report chapter > so we can fix it as soon as possible.